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Summary

Revelation 1:1–3 – Prologue and blessing

What happens: John states that God gives Jesus a revelation for His servants. An angel makes it known to John. A blessing is promised to those who read, hear, and keep the words.

What it means: God wants His people to know His plans and live ready. Scripture is not only to inform but to form obedience. God is gracious to bless those who seek and keep His Word, which shows His faithfulness and covenant care.

Revelation 1:4–8 – Greeting and doxology

What happens: John greets the seven churches with grace and peace from God, the seven spirits, and Jesus Christ. He praises Jesus who loves us, frees us by His blood, and makes us a kingdom and priests. He announces that Jesus is coming with the clouds and every eye will see Him. God declares, “I am the Alpha and the Omega.”

What it means: Salvation and identity come from Jesus’ finished work, not our effort. The church lives under God’s rule and serves as His priests, a key theme of covenant and worship. God’s eternity and sovereignty assure that His promises stand.

Revelation 1:9–11 – John’s commission on Patmos

What happens: John, exiled on Patmos for the word of God, is in the Spirit on the Lord’s day. He hears a loud voice like a trumpet telling him to write what he sees and send it to seven named churches.

What it means: God speaks to His people even in hardship. Suffering cannot stop the mission or the spread of the gospel. The church is accountable to God’s revealed word.

Revelation 1:12–16 – Vision of the Son of Man

What happens: John sees the risen Jesus among seven golden lampstands. Jesus appears with priestly and royal glory, with eyes like fire, a voice like many waters, and a sharp two-edged sword from His mouth.

What it means: Jesus is present with His churches and sees all with holy insight. His word judges and saves, revealing God’s holiness and justice. Worship centers on Christ’s majesty.

Revelation 1:17–20 – Fear removed and symbols explained

What happens: John falls as though dead. Jesus tells him not to fear and says He is the first and the last, alive forever, with the keys of Death and Hades. The seven stars are the angels of the churches, and the lampstands are the churches.

What it means: Jesus’ victory over death gives courage to His people. He holds ultimate authority over life and judgment, showing divine sovereignty and mercy. He knows and guards His church.

Application

  • Receive and keep Scripture with a ready heart.
  • Worship Jesus for freeing you by His blood and making you His servant.
  • Expect trials, but listen and obey God’s voice in them.
  • Remember that Jesus walks among His churches and sees with holy eyes.
  • Replace fear with trust in the One who holds the keys of death.

Bible

1The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to shew unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass; and he sent and signified it by his angel unto his servant John:

2Who bare record of the word of God, and of the testimony of Jesus Christ, and of all things that he saw.

3Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand.

4John to the seven churches which are in Asia: Grace be unto you, and peace, from him which is, and which was, and which is to come; and from the seven Spirits which are before his throne;

5And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood,

6And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.

7Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen.

8I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty.

9I John, who also am your brother, and companion in tribulation, and in the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was in the isle that is called Patmos, for the word of God, and for the testimony of Jesus Christ.

10I was in the Spirit on the Lord's day, and heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet,

11Saying, I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last: and, What thou seest, write in a book, and send it unto the seven churches which are in Asia; unto Ephesus, and unto Smyrna, and unto Pergamos, and unto Thyatira, and unto Sardis, and unto Philadelphia, and unto Laodicea.

12And I turned to see the voice that spake with me. And being turned, I saw seven golden candlesticks;

13And in the midst of the seven candlesticks one like unto the Son of man, clothed with a garment down to the foot, and girt about the paps with a golden girdle.

14His head and his hairs were white like wool, as white as snow; and his eyes were as a flame of fire;

15And his feet like unto fine brass, as if they burned in a furnace; and his voice as the sound of many waters.

16And he had in his right hand seven stars: and out of his mouth went a sharp twoedged sword: and his countenance was as the sun shineth in his strength.

17And when I saw him, I fell at his feet as dead. And he laid his right hand upon me, saying unto me, Fear not; I am the first and the last:

18 I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death.

19Write the things which thou hast seen, and the things which are, and the things which shall be hereafter;

20The mystery of the seven stars which thou sawest in my right hand, and the seven golden candlesticks. The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches: and the seven candlesticks which thou sawest are the seven churches.

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